"Elsa was a joyous person who always had a smile on her lips, even at difficult times. She always cared about the welfare of others. She was involved in the voluntary, cultural and artistic worlds. She played the cello brilliantly.

"She always fought against injustice. I think it was due to her family history - her Chilean mother fled the dictatorship of Pinochet."

Recalling the moment she heard the tragic news, Ms Souid wrote: "When I received a message from a friend sending condolences for my friend Elsa, I thought it was a mistake or a cruel joke.

Horror: A picture taken just minutes before gunmen opened fire on the crowd (Image: Vantagenews)

"The phone rang, which first of all reassured me, but then I remembered she liked rock and she often went for a drink in the bars in the 11th arrondissement.

"Doubt came over me, but I wouldn't believe it. When it was finally confirmed to me, I was completely destroyed."